Park gates close early later in the season, so we biked the 12 km to Gold Creek camp ground late at night, set up camp, and were in bed by 2:00 a.m. Left camp at 7:00 a.m. rode to the trail, hiked up to the summit and was back at camp by 7:00 p.m. to join friends who were having a party at the campsite. No snow all the way to the summit in October. Did not need the ices axes that we carried up.

Camped at Panorama Ridge. Didn't go to the summit as it was pouring rain and windy. Low visibility too. Fun climb to Panorama Ridge with so much snow. Left parking lot at 6pm, arrived at the shelter at 11:30pm.

I hiked up Golden Ears in the summer of 2003. We left right after work on a Friday, and, upon arrival, headed up the trail to Alder Flats. With plenty of daylight ahead, we decided to press on up the trail. Last mile or so had to be done with head torches. Camped just below the helicopter landing pad.
Early start in the morning for Panorama Ridge, then on up to the new refuge. Did not make the summit that day, due to time constraints, and also a few failed but fun attempts up the snow field! (Crampons and an ice axe would have come in handy at this point.) Can't wait to go back up and try it again.

It was a rainy & cloudy day, not the best for summiting, but well worth the trouble! Hiked along the West Canyon Trail then through Alder Flats (a GREAT camp site, beautiful views), then up the Golden Ears Trail. The trail began to climb quite dramatically with the hardest incline coming when we ascented a rock fall onto Panoramic Rigde. The shelter had been moved to just before the final summit ascent and provided a great spot to re-charge and take some photo's. There was still large patches of snow on & around the peak (where an ice axe or ski-poles would have come in handy, but we did without), and then a 20-40m final scramble, then the summit! (As well the patches of snow where excellent for some sliding/crazy carpeting down ;-) just watch out for the big drop offs!)

All-in-all a tough climb but worth it (even though the visibility at the summit was about 20 ft)! Congrats Craig & Anna who accomplished it as well.

Went to the park with a couple day-hikers who I couldnt convince to make the committment to take a run at the summit. So we followed the trail along the beautiful river until the Alder Flats and then turned around. Hoping to return very soon, minus the day-hikers to bag this one.

"After the first glass, you see things as you wish they were. After the second, you see things as they are not. Finally, you see things as they really are, which is the most horrible thing in the world."
--Oscar Wilde on Absinthe